Deputy Secretary-General urges quick investigation into allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria

There is a need to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Damascus, Syria as soon as possible, Jan Eliasson told reporters Wednesday following UN Security Council consultations on the subject.

The UN Deputy-Secretary-General said no matter what the conclusions are, this is a serious escalation with grave humanitarian and human consequences.

Dr. Ake Sellstrom, leader of the team investigating the allegations, and his team are in place. The Deputy-Secretary-General said he hoped they would be given access to the area by the Government.

“It is a very dramatic situation. And the security situation right now does not allow such access. And that's why this should also be seen in the larger and broader perspective – namely the great need for cessation of hostilities. We need cessation of hostilities in this particular area but there is also a need for cessation of hostilities generally.”

Mr. Eliasson pointed out that the alleged use of chemical weapons was still being investigated and that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed his preparedness to conduct the investigation.